Putting Your Past in Its Place

 by Stephen Viars
 

This book explores the effect that events from the past can have on current circumstances. But the author does not stop there; he offers concrete strategies replete with biblical wisdom for turning the past into an opportunity of change for the present. A very readable volume, Putting…Place is structured into three sections: The Power of the Past, Dealing with the Hurts of the Innocent Past, and Handling the Guilty Past. Each of the twelve chapters opens with a story vignette and closes with Questions for Personal Reflection and Questions for Group Discussion. Several case studies aid the reader in application. Many of the verses are printed out, openly grounding the material in Scripture.

Using buckets as a narrative tool, Viars successfully puts events of the past into one of four buckets. The buckets also serve as a useful visual tool. He gently tackles both the innocent past, when we have been sinned against and the guilty past, when we have committed the sin ourselves. A balanced assessment of psychological teachings on the past is carefully presented. Viars writing style is accessible for a wide range of readers and levels of spiritual maturity.

Counseling Homework: The questions provided are a natural for homework after reading a chapter. Pertinent Scripture verses for memory work can be gleaned from within the chapters themselves, further solidifying the central teachings.  Many opportunities are offered throughout the pages for identifying heart idols, sin patterns, and entrenched heart problems, like bitterness and unforgiveness. Both informative and practical, Putting Your Past in Its Place is highly recommended for use in the counseling process, whether the past is a presenting, performance, or preconditioning problem. Both counselor and counselee will be well served by Stephen Viars contribution to the counseling movement.

Review submitted by Susan Sargent